my stomach. I've just finished the latest book in the Lord series by Shantel Tessier. When I came up to my room, I

e so much time had passed while I was engrossed in the story. Hastily, I shoot

e none. I've been gone for a while, so I'm a little shocked they haven't called asking where I was. I try Caleb's cell to ask him how the party is going, but it goes straight to voicemail. Attempting a mind-link, I get no resp

of earthy notes that transport me to the heart of the rainforest. It's unlike anything I've

ng," she exclaims, her ex

g me to hasten my steps. The prospect of discovering his identity sparks my curiosity – is he the son

ia. Pick up the pace," Marie urges, s

e of relief and excitement as I sw

canvas of crimson. The edge of my dress swiftly becomes saturated, the sheer volume of blood evident everywhere. Oh, Heavens! What in the world is happen

d I have? My senses were ensnared by the alluring fragrance of my mate, lea

in crimson – a sea of lycans with their bodies adorned with the damning evidence of blood. My heart sinks as I hazard a g

ives his claws into Dad's chest with lethal intent, aimin

s widening at the shocking truth. The weight

pleads once more, his

anything I've ever witnessed, sending a shiver down my spine. My hair stands on end as he

is killing my father, the very person I've been yearning for all these years. In this harrowing moment, the beli

, even if it means confronting and hurting the very mate I've been longing for. Ignor

at my mate. In a sudden, jarring halt, I crash to the ground, creating a deep dent in the marble floor of the ballroom, whimpering in

presence of lycans. The urgency to save my father eclipses any concern for modesty. My instincts kick in, and

lock eyes with him. The weight of the impending actions I am about to take hangs heavily in th

for the unthinkable, knowing it's the only r

ripples through the room is ignored; nothing eclipses the urgen

lia! Never kneel for the enemy!" Dad yel

of blood beneath my knees – hearts ripped out of chests, some drained pale. The gruesome sight overwhelms me, and I can't hold back the wave of nausea that rises, expelling my dinner onto the blood-decorated floor. I wipe my mouth with the

ds on me, attempting to end my life. The struggle for breath intensifies, and panic takes hold as I grapple wit

ry his fingers away as my legs kick desperately in the air. I feel sparks as our skin tou

ion that it must have been one of my people, or worse, my mother, lying unconscious beside my brother. The weight

gging into his hands in a futile attempt to loosen the grip, even if it means drawing blood. His hands remain unyielding, a vise around my throat. Wi

silently, hoping the connection between us will stir some compassion. Instead, the opposite occu

pressure intensifies, my face growing paler. It's unfathomable that my mate, the one bound to me by fate, is on the brink of takin

floor. Gasping for air, I wipe my mouth clean and glance up, only to see him approaching with an unrestrained fury that causes the ground to vibrate beneath his forceful strides. The sight sends a shiver down my spine. The rattling of chairs and tables echoes the intensity of his rage. Panic s

iculty, I inch forward, determined to reach the potential makeshift weapon. However, before I can grasp it, Nickolas intercepts me. My fingers barely brus

unds of crashing waves fill the air. A sudden re

y body as I bite down on my bottom lip, attempting to stifle the pain. Amid the suffering, a chilling

alf-witch and werewolf. She must have felt the anguish of her mate's death and

atch a glimpse from my peripheral vision of my mate sprintin

dart to me, but she reacts swiftly upon seeing my mate dangerously close to grabbing her. Instantly, she erects a transparent shield around herself, my brother,

acted swiftly enough to shield herself from my mate. The haunting thought sends a shiver d

, her horrified eyes scanning

They just needed a way to enter the castle without being stopped. You need to

ce laden with emotion, as my mate relentle

only to be interrupted by a sudden fit of coug

s widen in t

fine. Don

ll you, Amelia. Come clos

ore he breaks the shield. You're not strong enough to hold on for long. Leave!" I scream,

face. She creates a portal and pulls my brother through it, returning for my father a

f. Lifting my eyes, I lock them with those of my mate, the source of the primal growl. He stares at me, panting hard, his eyes burning into my very soul

off the ground. Pain shoots through my scalp as he turns me to face him, his grip intensifying. I flinch at the over

e. His features are meticulously shaped – a straight nose full and perfectly arched brows. He appears to be in his late thirties or early

for that, bitc

ry," I defia

sudden, brutal twist, he snaps my n